Mon Jan 29: Will Council Heed Public Calls to Send City Budget Back to Staff?

Plus: 88% of readers supportive of County of Grey plan to purchase local motel for emergency housing program

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

We shared Grey County’s announcement about their intent to purchase the Diamond Motor Inn for a little over $3 million on Friday, and asked what readers thought.

Fifty-one percent of you said it’s great news; another 37% support the idea but still feel we need a shelter:

Now, what do you think of the City of Owen Sound’s proposed 2024 budget?

Tonight is your last opportunity to be heard on the matter, as the City holds the required Public Meeting before passing the budget (as they’ve notified the public they intend to do February 26).

I outlined three ways for members of the public to provide input at tonight’s council meeting here in my pre-meeting column.

And in case you missed it, I shared excerpts from the 44 pages of budget-related public feedback City Council received as part of their agenda package last night. You can read that here.

Also on the agenda for tonight:

• Miller Waste has asked the City for $21,000 to help cover an increase in operating costs.

• After two recent collapses, the City will replace the 17th Street East sanitary sewer from 16th Avenue East to 18th Avenue East.

• Councilor Jon Farmer will ask the rest of council to approve a Townhall Meeting to be held in October 2024. (Why so far away? I guess we’ll find out.)

You might wonder how the City can possibly cram all of their regular business AND a meaningful public budget consultation into one meeting…?

🤷🏼‍♀️ I guess we’ll find out.

Full subscribers, keep reading for an update on how Grey County is trying to improve its budgeting process. Plus, we share a great story from Georgian College about a grant program that reduces student debt and incentivizes healthcare grads to stay and work locally.

~ Miranda

P.S. Planning to attend the City Council meeting tonight? Even if you don’t feel your input warrants a full letter to the editor, email me your thoughts after the meeting at owensoundcurrenteditor@gmail.com. They may be included in our post-meeting coverage.

P.P.S. Check out your subscription options here.